In light of the global pandemic and the disruption this has caused to face-to-face engagement, Copper Consultancy was tasked with developing a ‘digital-first’ consultation on behalf of London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH).
On the 27th July 2020, LRCH launched its statutory consultation for the London Resort, a world-class, sustainable, next generation entertainment resort proposed for development on the banks of the River Thames.
Copper has been providing consultation and engagement support for the project over the past year, which is one of the most ambitious theme park projects in Europe. The London Resort will be the first European development of its kind to be built from the ground up since the opening of Disneyland Paris in 1992. The project vision is to create a world-class entertainment resort founded on sustainable and low carbon principles, partnering with the best brands from across film and television, to create an immersive entertainment destination.
This is the fifth stage of consultation for the London Resort and builds upon previous, extensive community consultations which took place in 2014 and 2015. To date, around 8,000 people have participated, including a range of stakeholders such as Highways England, local authorities, the Port of Tilbury and environmental and conservation bodies.
It’s essential that the London Resort delivers a consultation which is inclusive, fair and accessible. A digital-first approach provides the means to communicate the impact and benefits of the project to communities without people needing to leave their own homes and to be accessible to a much more widespread, potentially global audience.
This required developing multiple online platforms and materials to ensure the consultation is engaging and user focused.
In addition to the project website, social media, and a dedicated consultation platform, Copper worked with RPS, a leading global professional services firm, to develop and deliver a virtual consultation room. The room is designed to replicate an in-person event, with digital information boards and banners, a welcome from the London Resort Chief Executive PY Gerbeau and links to all consultation materials. The information boards are also all available in audio format.
We are also running a series of public consultation webinars, where the public can meet the team and ask questions.
Recognising that the digital approach may not be suitable or accessible for all members of the community and the wider public, a range of non-digital activities is also taking place throughout the eight week period, including writing to more 100,000 homes and businesses across the local area, inviting people to get involved and have their say, a freephone line and offering telephone surgeries for those who cannot attend a webinar.
The Statutory Consultation runs from 27th July until 11.59pm on 21st September 2020. Public contributions to the consultation will help the London Resort to progress the project and finalise its vision for this unique project. If the resort is successful in securing development consent, construction will begin in 2022, with a view to opening in 2024.
Copper will continue to support the London Resort, analyzing consultation feedback and producing the Consultation Report before the Development Consent Order application is submitted later this year.
To view the virtual consultation room, please click here.
To have your say on the London Resort’s proposals, please click here.
To learn more about the London Resort, please click here.
